gift tags for Christmas gifts

photo in middle is gift certificate holder for gift certificate card.  

I have been busy stitching and sewing both gift certificate holder and gift tags for family members.  The majority of them have requested gift certificate cards for their Christmas wish list.    Specific stores, restaurants, bookstores, games, etc...... Kegs, Tim Horton,  Indigo, DS games, DS3 games, Visa, etc....

"Nanuk and the Penguin"

I just finished stitching "Nanuk and the Penguin".  The chart is from Gitta's.  I stitched this on 28ct. off -white evenweave with DMC threads.    The wonderful thing about this design is that there is no backstitching involved.  

"Celtic Salamander"

"Celtic Salamander" bookmark.   Just finished it and both Peacock and Salamander will go into the "to be finished" drawer for now.   This is stitched on 14 ct aida with DMC threads.  

Back to my "Red and Yellow Maple Leaves" project to try to finish it before end of Dec.  

It has been awhile since I posted one of my stitching projects.    This is a Celtic peacock bookmark stitched on 18ct aida.   I haven't decided yet how I will do the backing.   I am stitching the Celtic salamander bookmark next.

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I finished this "Trois Santas" by The Sweetheart Tree.   It is stitched on 28ct  linen using DMC threads.   This is one of the most frustrating stitching I have ever done.   Partly because my eyes were sore from being strained to see the tiny symbols on the chart as well as trying to keep the beading from cluttering the wreath.  I did take most of the beads off since there were supposed to have at least 20 beads on the wreath.    Anyway, I will toss it into my "need to be finish-finish" drawer until I can come up with an idea how I want to do the finishing part.

I finished the ornament.  The top is the design and the bottom is the christmas theme penguins standing on ice floes.   It is now ready to be mailed out to my exchange partner.  

I just finished stitching Archie in "Cool Yule!" from Britain No 1 Cross-Stitcher, pg 95, Issue  # 167, Christmas 2005.     The back stitching was a bit difficult due to squashed stitching involved.  This will be made into an ornament.  

Koi postcard

Koi fish postcard.   I am starting to get the hang of how to do the postcard now.    Front of postcard.

 

Back of postcard.

Dear Santa, I can explain

I just finished stitching "Dear Santa, I can explain" by Lizzie Kate.    It is stitched on 28 ct hand-dyed blue and white Jobelan fabric.   

Red and Yellow Maple Leaves

Progress updated as of 30 Aug 2012

One less WIP from my stash!   I just finished stitching "Sew Many Stitches" by Sue Hillis.  I stitched this onto a sewing notion fabric.   I will assemble this into a postcard to mail off to my exchange partner.

I have 10 different cross-stitching projects in rotation.  I decided to make a fish postcard for my son to give myself a break.   I used fly/feather stitch for the grass on the ocean floor, lazy daisy loops for bubbles, and satin stitch for the eyes.  This postcard is winging it's way to the Alberta prairies soon.

"Two Woolly Sheep"

I just finished stitching "Two Woolly Sheep" which is hand embroidery on 27 ct evenweave.  I used satin stitch for the face and feet, french knots for the body, straight stitch for grasses and beads for the eyes.   I haven't decided yet how I will do the finishing part.

Here is the postcard.  I had to cut it down to  6" x 4" and I used a dark blue fabric to cover all the strips inside the template of the popsicle.    This is a bit difficult to stitch around the edge on a sewing machine due to the layer of strips.   But it was a fun learning experience for me.

"Iris Folding"

Iris Folding..... I discovered this technique from reading other people talking about "Iris Folding" and I was curious what it was.   I google for the instruction and spend the whole day in my stitching room to put it together.       But instead of using colored paper, I used scrap fabrics.  I am not finished yet as I will exchange the white card stock for fabric to complete the project.

Chicken in ice cream cone

Another finish!   This will be part of a postcard once I figured out how to assemble it together with the muslin fabric.   This is chicken in ice cream cone with a cherry on her head.      It is stitched on 28 ct Jobelan with DMC threads and Peach WDW thread for the cone.

Just finished stitching Newton's Law-  "You Can Never Have Too Much Love".   It was a challenge due to all the back stitching involved.    

Progress updated on Newton's Law- "You Can Never Have Too Much Love".

"Noah's Ark"

This is a small, quick stitch from Bucilla kit called "Noah's Ark".  

"Wish Upon A Star"

I managed to stitch a few while babysitting 4 grandsons for almost a month.   This is "Stitch Upon A Star" from The Cross Stitcher magazine.   I did not stitch big projects due to lack of time and little fingers around.

"Red and Yellow Leaves"

Progress updated on one of my UFOs.    "Red and Yellow Leaves" which is a chart from Japan.  

Lizzie Kate's "Cupcake"

I just finished Lizzie Kate's "Cupcake" design.    I have one more step to do which is to find 3 small buttons to represent sprinkles on top of the cupcake.   I might stitch French knots instead if I don't have any mini-buttons in my stash.    

Just finished one of Margaret Sherry's design- A mouse flying a kite.   This is a fun stitch.  I have one less from my Crazy January Challenge list.

Back of fabric postcard... It says, "You keep me in Stitches!"

Front of fabric postcard.   Appliques of butterfly and flower

I made this for my mother because of a recent incident which was a result of not wearing her eyeglasses.  She had made herself a batch of gluten free chocolate chips cookies.  She loved it!   She decided to make another batch for her friend next door.   After she had made the second batch, she was wondering why it tastes different from the first batch?   She looked at the package that she had used and realized that instead of using gluten free flour mix, she had accidently used instant mashed potatoes mix.   I laughed.   I decided to make her a fabric postcard to cheer her up.

International Hermit and Stitching Weekend

"Yellow and Red Leaves"  - Japanese chart 

Lizzie Kate's "Snow Happens" from Tiny Tidings VIII

Margaret Sherry's from Luxury Christmas cards

Greeting card from the Nutmeg Company

Dawn of Spring SAL- in progress... working on bullion knots, spider web rose and dawn threads

I have been working in rotation 5 different projects during International Hermit and Stitching weekend.  I included Monday due to our long weekend. (Victoria  Day)

International Hermit and Stitching Weekend

I decided to join the International Hermit and Stitching Weekend.   I will post photos of what I have stitched over the weekend on Monday.

Just finished "A Bit of January" from Lizzie Kate's Flip it chart.   Stitched in 28ct light brown linen with DMC threads.

I learned how to make a fabric Ort bag from Edna following her tutorial under http://www.needlingthings.blogspot.ca

 I have a couple of glass Ort jars but little hands tend to break them or bump into the table which sends the jar crashing onto the floor.   So this will be handy for both at home and when traveling in my RV.

I stitched a biscornu for a May SAL challenge in one of my cross stitching groups.    The top is from Margaret Sherry's ABC without the letter "P".  The bottom is from a cover kit in Cross Stitching Card Shop magazine.  Fabric is 14ct aida with DMC threads.    The biscornu is about 3 inches wide and high.

"Love Doesn't Melt" tuck pillow

I just finished stitching "Love Doesn't Melt" using WDW threads on 14 ct blue aida.  It is finished into a tuck pillow.  Designer is from Pine Mountain Designs.

"Reflections of the High Desert"

I just finished this design.  It is ready to use for my box finishing class.     A quick and fun stitching project.

Progress updated.  I have backstitching left to do.  About another day or two and I will be finished.

"African Safari"

Progress updated. I think one letter is missing from the chart. Letter "K"

"Reflections of the High Desert"

This is my progress of "Reflections of the High Desert" so far. The tepee are starting to form. I am working on the adobe near the tail part of the eagle.

"Reflections of the High Desert"

Box Finishing Class

Meari is teaching a Box Finishing Class for the "I Love Cross Stitch" yahoo group members that want to participate. I have started on my piece called, "Reflections of the High Desert". Wind Dancer by Daystar Designs. Stitched on 28ct sand/stone color Jobelan using DMC threads.

"Teacup Kitty"

I just finished one of Margaret Sherry's "Teacup Kitty" from Cross Stitch Card shop magazine. I needed a break from all of my BAP that I have in rotation. This was a quick and fun stitch!

"Wash Line Fun"

My computer was out of commission for more than 2 weeks. I just finished Janylnn- "Wash Line Fun" while waiting for the computer to be fixed. This was a fun stitch. Anyone who wants the chart to let me know as I am passing it forward as I need to de-clutter my stash bins. Thanks!

"Bear Country"

Progress updated on my "Bear Country" project. Since I am stitching a little bit at a time due to catching up on my microwave fabric bowls, my cross stitching projects are put aside until I am finished with my sewing projects. I have another 6 more fabric bowls to make for my family members so each person have one of their own to heat up their soup, chili, etc.... in their microwave. I will make small ones for the grandchildren too.

Microwave fabric bowl

I have made 6 more of these for my son, my mother and Daughter-in-law. It is a fun stitch and a break from cross-stitching for awhile.

Link for tutorial to make microwave fabric bowl

Here is the link for microwave fabric bowl

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/microwave-fabric-bowls-t144848.html

Microwave soup pad

I thought I would need a break for my eyes before tackling my next UFO. I have a birthday boy coming up and he eats lot of soups. I learned how to make a microwave soup pad which u can heat soup in the microwave. The pad is inserted underneath the bowl before you put it in the microwave. When done, you just take the pad and bowl out of the microwave without burning your hands. This ladybug pad is for me. I will use masculine type fabric for my son and I will make a set of 4 for him. The batting is 100% cotton. (Warm and Natural)